Every year, seniors at WJPS have their senior portraits taken to celebrate their achievements. These portraits then are sent over to Ms. Laverda’s yearbook class and featured in the yearbook. 

As yearbook advisor, Ms. Laverda, said, “a focal point of every yearbook is to acknowledge the graduates in many aspects.” 

Before COVID-19, it was a custom to have seniors take their portraits in the auditorium at WJPS. However, earlier this school year, WJPS seniors were told that they would have to travel on their own to a studio in Forest Hills to have their photos taken. 

Not too long after, it was concluded that the company would come to school to photograph students who could not travel to the studio. While this may have relieved those who worried before, students argued about their priorities and having too much to do. 

WJPS senior, Alvin Zeng, said, “though senior portraits may be supernal to many seniors since it leaves a legacy in the yearbook, senior portraits are something that is last in priority for me due to the amount of stress in my life.”

However, WJPS senior, Jenny Kuo, said, “considering past graduating classes did not have the access to this, it feels like a great push for normalcy we all need right, considering the stress we under with college applications and such.”

To which Ms. Laverda insisted, “we want everyone to be included.”